Procedure and House Affairs committee  But my understanding is that the purpose of the committee is to have a bill in place in time for the next election. That's the basis on which I would be working at this, as well as on any other recommendation coming from this committee.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Are you referring to the birth date?

Procedure and House Affairs committee  In my report, there was a recommendation that deputy returning officers and poll clerks, the people who run elections, have this information. It would help them identify people quickly in some cases, for example when a 70-year-old comes in to vote and claims to be 30 years old.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Mr. Chairman, in order to achieve this, we would have to review the statute with you, because we've installed the simplest system we can in light of the statutory requirements you or your predecessors have passed into law about what is required and what is not required. We could provide you with recommendations, if we can think of any, whereby this could perhaps be simplified a little further in terms of the legislative text.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  There is no statutory authority for the Chief Electoral Officer to prevail upon school boards or schools. We do offer carrots, in the sense that we pay good Canadian money for rental. We also try to address their concerns, which are really related to the security of the children in their charge, by hiring additional security guards to control traffic whenever they indicate any kind of requirement to us in that respect.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  It was just whispered in my ear that it may not be illegal, because it is not in the act. It may also not be legal, but certainly I will be very sympathetic in terms of looking at this and coming back to the committee, because it would be helpful. I know there is an issue about people coming in and going out, and disrupting proceedings, or else having someone who's permanently there representing you as a candidate.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Good morning, sir. Good morning, ladies and gentlemen of the committee. You've already introduced Mr. Landry. His curriculum vitae should be available to you. In light of the fact that it's his first appearance and in light of the importance of the duties he performs, I thought you should be apprised of his curriculum vitae.

Bill C-2 (39th Parliament, 1st Session) committee  We'll do that. Yes.

Bill C-2 (39th Parliament, 1st Session) committee  With respect to cash donations, there already is a requirement that there be a receipt for any amount over $20. This would have, then, a double protection, in the sense that no contribution could be made in cash any more--it would have to be through a traceable instrument--but the requirement to provide a receipt would also be maintained.

Bill C-2 (39th Parliament, 1st Session) committee  Well, I see it as a problem for me as the Chief Electoral Officer. What am I going to do with these secret reports about gifts? What am I going to do with these things? Do I maintain the secrecy around them? If they look fishy, do I refer them to the commissioner for investigation?

Bill C-2 (39th Parliament, 1st Session) committee  Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I'll send to you this afternoon the further documents, which you can peruse at your leisure. They're not very long and we're trying to make them as punchy as possible.

Bill C-2 (39th Parliament, 1st Session) committee  I don't know if Bill C-2 specifically addresses that issue, but it is illegal for a provincial party to transfer funds to a federal party. However, if a federal party organization donated to a provincial party organization, that could be done. But a provincial party which only operates at the provincial level cannot transfer money to a federal party under the current legislation.

Bill C-2 (39th Parliament, 1st Session) committee  First, I'm not the one who created the legislation. You are the ones working on it. Whatever you do, I will apply the provisions of the legislation with vigour and impartiality. I'll repeat what I said, because I don't understand the question any other way. A provincial party is not allowed to make donations to a federal party.

Bill C-2 (39th Parliament, 1st Session) committee  It is not the custom to confirm or deny any referral made to the commissioner on any matter, even if reference was not made.

Bill C-2 (39th Parliament, 1st Session) committee  No. The statute of limitations for anything that occurred up to the point of passage of legislation would remain up to seven years, because no law can be made retroactive in that respect.